The youngster’s future at Sunderland remains a doubt after a turbulent 2023/24 campaign.
Sunderland’s pre-season campaign has shown extra emphasis on the players warming up to French boss Regis Le Bris‘ style of play this season.
The Black Cats’ 2023/24 campaign showed that relying on youngsters can be a double-edged sword, with there being an evident lack of leadership and experience plagued throughout the squad last season.
Various youngsters involved in the side last season will be doubts this season as Kristjaan Speakman looks to bring in Championship experience, as well as guaranteed goalscoring ability at this level.
Speakman’s transfer aims this summer have left doubt over one attacker who was unable to stamp his authority on the side, with it looking more evident that he won’t be part of Le Bris’ future plans after his recent decision.
Luis Hemir picked as part of Sunderland U21 squad for friendly
Portuguese striker Luis Hemir was absent from Le Bris side to take on League One outfit Blackpool in a pre-season friendly, per Roker Report on X, suggesting that the French boss has made a decision over the youngster.
Despite getting 23 appearances during the 2023/24 Championship season, most of which were off the bench, Hemir was unable to get a single league goal for Sunderland, therefore casting doubts over his ability to play at this level.
Hemir has shown goal scoring ability during pre-season after a thunderstrike to help Sunderland to a 2-1 victory against Eldense, however it was clearly not enough for Le Bris to consider him as a threat at Championship level.
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Does Luis Hemir still have a future at Sunderland
If there was a manager who could get the best out of a youngster, it would likely be Le Bris, however the apparent lack of faith shown by his recent decision suggests that Hemir could be on his way out.
Speakman’s next decision on Hemir will be very telling as to whether the young Portuguese striker’s future lies in Wearside.
It’s likely that Sunderland may sanction a loan move for the youngster, who may be able to rekindle his goalscoring form that he showed at youth level with Benfica if he moves down the EFL.
A loan move will be a sign of faith from the club that they can still hopefully get the best out of Hemir in the long-term, with him certainly having potential to play at this level at some point in his career.
Time will tell as to whether Hemir can regain his confidence on a loan spell, or if Sunderland decide to cut their losses. There is certainly a capable player in Hemir, who just needs a platform to prove so.